Results of a Joint Navy/Air Force Operational Test to Evaluate USAF IntegratedMaintenance Information Systems (IMIS), Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) Technology Applied to the F/A-18 Aircraft

摘要

In a joint effort, the U.S. Navy and Air Force have tested under operationalconditions a series of improved techniques developed under the Air Force Integrated Maintenance Information System (IMIS) program for delivering maintenance technical information to squadron technicians. These improvements included use of a portable maintenance aid (PMA) for technical information display. In this test, carried out in an F/A-18 fighter squadron at Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina each of 16 technicians performed six fault-isolation tasks, three supported by an Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) displayed on a PMA, and three supported by conventional paper-based work package (WP) technical manual (TM). This report presents a comparison of technician performance supported by the ITEM/PMA combination with performance using conventional paper TMs. The performance data collected during the test showed considerable reduction in performance times for complex multiple fault isolations and maintenance errors, when technicians used the IETM/PMA combination. Also, technician-preference data based on questionnaires, showed strong support for virtually all IETM/PMA features. Technicians also made suggestions for improving the IETM and the PMA. Automated Technical Manuals; Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs), Portable Maintenance Aid, Portable Delivery Device, Integrated Maintenance Information S (MS), F/A-18 Aircraft.